Contraception Specialist

There are many forms of birth control available today. Some are easier to use or more effective at preventing pregnancy than others. Different birth control methods include:

Birth Control Options Chart

These methods release hormones that prevent you from getting pregnant. They include the birth control pill, patch, vaginal ring, and shot. You need to take a pill daily and change your patch or ring every month. The shot lasts for three months before you need to see your provider for another. Short-acting hormonal contraception is 91-94% effective at preventing pregnancy.

LARC methods include intrauterine devices (IUDs) and birth control implants. They’re the easiest and most effective forms of reversible contraception available.

Your provider inserts an IUD in your uterus or an implant in your arm during a visit to Advanced Women’s Healthcare. After that, these methods are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy and last 2-10 years, depending on the type.

Also called sterilization, this is a surgical procedure that permanently prevents pregnancy. This method of contraception is difficult to reverse if you change your mind.

Barrier methods are condoms, female condoms, and other over-the-counter devices that block sperm from entering the uterus.

Condoms aren’t the most effective way to prevent pregnancy, but using latex condoms is the only way to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like HIV.

Your choice of birth control depends on many factors, including your overall health, amount of sexual partners, family medical history, and desire to have children in the future. The team at Advanced Women’s Healthcare reviews your medical history and performs a physical exam before recommending the best type of birth control for you. They describe the risks and benefits of each type to help you make an informed decision.